Accessibility Tools

Skip to main content
|

The Fungus Among Us – The Spread (Part 2)

Last month, I recommended why discussing possible Valley Fever testing with your vet is so important, even if the symptoms don’t quite fit into the “box.” This month, let’s discuss where the coccidioides, the fungus that causes Valley Fever, are present and where they’re headed.

Valley Fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, was first discovered in 1892 in Argentina by a medical intern treating a soldier who developed skin lesions and lung disease. The fungus was later isolated in 1894 from soil in the Joaquin Valley of California, hence the name “Valley Fever” or “Desert Rheumatism.”

The fungus is present in the United States, Mexico and South America. In the U.S., the fungus is present in Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona, Southern Utah, Southern New Mexico, Southern Texas, Southern Colorado, Western Kansas and Western Oklahoma, with a sprinkling in Southern Washington State and Idaho.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the fungus is expected to increase by 6% in 2035, 16% in 2065 and 17% in 2095. This is likely due primarily to climate change and increased population.

Is there a Valley Fever season?

Valley Fever can be contracted anytime, but it’s more prevalent in the summer and fall. In Arizona, the monsoons, which bring heavy rains, can cause the fungal spores to “bloom” in the soil. The spores become airborne and more easily inhaled as the soil dries out.

Minimize the risk for you and your hound.

  • Avoid dusty areas.
  • Steer clear of construction sites, excavation areas and other places with dust.
  • Stay indoors during dust storms; when it’s windy and dusty outside, especially during dust storms, stay inside with windows and doors closed.
  • Wet soil before disturbing; if you need to work with soil, like gardening or digging, wet it beforehand to reduce dust.
  • Consider N95 respirators; when working in dusty environments, wear an N95 respirator to filter the air you breathe.
  • Use HEPA air filters; running HEPA air filters in your home can help remove dust particles and spores from the air.

Always moving forward,

Nancy